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Top-Rated Holiday Appetizers

Far from ordinary, our collection of drinks and appetizers will get your gathering off to a memorable start.

The holidays are filled with parties, and nothing gets a party started quite like a great appetizer – especially when it's made from a beloved Southern ingredient like tart cranberries, crunchy bacon, sweet potatoes, or juicy crab. Whether you are hosting a large group at home or need an easy holiday appetizer that travels well, this selection of our favorite dips, spreads, and finger foods will please any crowd. Serve your guests casual, all-time favorite appetizers such as Muffuletta Deviled Eggs, Turnip Green Pesto, or Warm Kale and Asiago Dip. Or give them something a little more elegant and prepare Lump Crab Mornay and Sesame Salmon Croquettes. Whatever your theme, your party will be a success with any of these flavorful holiday appetizers.

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Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Topped with traditional Italian flavors such as fresh thyme and oregano and gooey fontina cheese, this flatbread will surely be a crowd pleaser. Crushed red pepper adds an extra kick while a balsamic glaze takes the flavor palette to the next level. The natural paring of fennel and prosciutto marry this appetizer in a harmonious way that will leave guests searching for seconds. Cook the flatbread until the crust is golden brown, and broil the pizza for one minute for perfectly melted cheese. Substituting sweet onion for fennel and bacon for prosciutto is also a great alternative that still serves up delicious flavor in this flatbread appetizer.

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Grapefruit-Beet-Goat Cheese Flatbread

Garnished with golden beets, red grapefruit, and goat cheese, this bright appetizer will look great on any appetizer tray. The appetizer is elegant enough to be served at any upscale dinner or cocktail party, yet simple enough for guests to enjoy at a casual dinner party or a game night. It is great alternative to pizza and a wonderful vegetarian option to have on the menu. Not to mention, nothing says refreshing more than fresh mint leaves and toasted pine nuts also give crunch to the flatbread appetizer. Letting bakery pizza dough rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes also makes it easier to knead.

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Smoked Trout Crostini with Radishes and Dill Cream

For a fresh appetizer, try the smoked trout crostini with radishes and dill cream. An appetizer consisting of sour cream spread on a triangle of toasted crostini and topped with smoked trout and radishes will give guests a break from warm appetizers typically served at a dinner party. These perfect little triangles also offer a beautiful presentation, fooling guests into believing you worked much harder than you did on this appetizer. A fresh squeeze of lemon juice will also give guests the burst of freshness that will perfectly balance out your appetizer platter. For an even more colorful spread, replace the trout with smoked salmon.

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Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball

Closely related to the blue cheese-red currant cheese ball, this appetizer will wow guests with big flavors packed in such a simple dish. Feta and cream make this creamy appetizer while flat-leaf parsley and finely chopped green onion give a burst of freshness and crunch to the outside. The bright green appearance will also draw guests to aesthetically appeasing appetizer that is best served with cucumber slices. Other ingredients including green olives, hot sauce, lemon zest, and Worcestershire sauce add another layer of flavor to balance out the others. Add a little holiday flair by shaping this cheese mixture into a Yule log or keep it traditional in a classic cheese ball shape.

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Blue Cheese-Red Currant Cheese Ball

Perfect for the holidays, this blue cheese-red currant cheese ball can be served with gingersnaps on a beautiful cheese or dip platter. Held together by cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese and coated with currants, guests will enjoy the smooth and creamy texture of the appetizer with a little added texture. The strong ginger flavor will also help to enhance the flavor of the blue cheese while also bringing out the hint of lemon zest and red currant jam. You can shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log during the holiday season or into a regular ball shape for any other special occasion.

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Cheese Dreams

These little gems will be the first appetizer to disappear. Make them the day before and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 weeks. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer; increase the bake time by 10 minutes.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Recipe developer Julia Reed adapted this creamy dip from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Located in the Mississippi Delta, this recipe pays homage to the rich culture in the region, using lump crabmeat and red pepper to add spice. All-purpose flour and heavy cream give the dish its creamy texture and freshly grated cheese makes it savory. This dip can be kept in a chafing dish or a slow cooker set on a very low temperature to keep the dip perfect throughout the night for guests to enjoy. Serve with toast points perfect for dipping.

Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

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Black-Eyed Pea Pâté

A touch of salty country ham and shiitake mushrooms adds deep flavor to this earthy, creamy Southern spread. You can make and chill the recipe up to 2 days ahead. For a finishing touch, top with Pickled Red Onions and Cukes.

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Pimiento Cheese Gougères

Stamp a Southern accent on this classic French hors d'oeuvre. You can use a piping bag with a 1/2-inch round tip or a zip-top plastic freezer bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the dough onto the baking sheets.

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Contemporary Shrimp Cocktail

Revive this party staple by setting out a bountiful platter of shrimp with three bowls of zingy new sauces. For an appetizer, plan on 1 pound of large shrimp for every 4 to 5 guests. Perk up precooked shrimp in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then plunge them in ice water. Drain shrimp well, pat dry, and serve. Try it with Avocado Cream, Tequila-Lime Cocktail Sauce, or Ginger Rémoulade.

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Tiny Tomato Tarts

With all the flavor of a traditional tomato pie, these tiny tarts will be a hit at your party. These bite-sized tarts are made with a simple blend of diced tomatoes, piecrusts, a blend of cheeses, and fresh basil. This recipe can also be made ahead by baking the pastry shells up to three days before they are served and storing in an airtight container, leaving the filling to be prepared the day of the party. A medley of Parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses make this finger food a delicious alternative to a large slice of tomato pie while still being reminiscent of the Southern favorite.

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Mini Manchego-Tomato Chutney Tartlets

For these delicious tartlets, we like to use Alecia's Tomato Chutney, an Alabama-made product worth ordering if you can't find it in your grocery store. Mango chutney is a relatively close alternative to this zesty preserve.

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Brie Tartlets With Grape Relish

Take another cue from the French by using Brie as the filling in these tartlets. Grapes make an excellent topper, adding color and an elegant touch to the hors d’oeuvre. Guests will love the creative use of this fruit, as well as the added vitamins and minerals.

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Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log

Keep a few logs of goat cheese in the refrigerator during the holidays and you'll always be ready with a quick appetizer. All you have to do is sprinkle the cheese with pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with bread slices or crackers.